Be Successful! – Coping with Pressure
Mental Training for Musicians


Making music means far more than technique and talent. Anyone who steps onto the stage makes themselves vulnerable. The sensitivity required for music-making further intensifies the experience of pressure, expectation, and self-doubt.
In this six-hour workshop, we address the psychological challenges that accompany many students at music universities. Together, we explore performance anxiety and fears about the future, as well as strategies for strengthening resilience and dealing with competitive pressure.
In addition, we take a look at time management in the often busy day-to-day life of studying. How can I prepare effectively for an event?

 

Objectives

  • Build mental strength in a targeted way
  • Learn strategies for dealing with challenging situations
  • Strengthen your own capacity to act and inner stability
  • Try out practical exercises for stress management
  • Reflect on your own situation
  • Share experiences and perspectives in exchange with other participants
     

Barbara Fischer © Cammerlander


Course lecturer Barbara Fischer

Barbara Fischer attended the Music Gymnasium in Innsbruck and subsequently studied double bass with Walter Rumer at the Tyrolean State Conservatory and with Frank Reinecke at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Already during her school years, she developed an interest in historically informed performance practice.

Today, she works as a freelance musician and regularly performs with a wide variety of historically informed orchestras in Austria and abroad, such as Barruco, Ensemble Castor, La Banda, Europa Galante, Les Passions de l'Ame, Concentus Musicus Wien, Ensemble Pallidor, Paluselli-Consort, and many more.

Her work has taken her to major festivals such as the Chopin Festival Warsaw, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, Styriarte, the Carinthian Summer, Trigonale, the Aix-en-Provence Festival, and many more.

Since 2020, she has been part of the core team of IGFM Austria, advocating for the interests of freelance musicians. Since 2024, she has been part of the advisory team of mica Tirol.
In addition to her work as a freelance musician, she is also a certified mental training coach, specializing in resilience and personal development.

Workshop

 


Date
TU, 02.02.2027
10 am–1 pm and 2 pm–5 pm

Location
spiel|mach|t|raum, S 02 25, mdw-Campus, Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Wien

ECTS
The workshop, including preparation and follow-up, counts as 8h of 60 minutes each for the Career Center elective

Registration
From September 2026 at careercenter@mdw.ac.at